In an effort to ease food transportation within and outside the state, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated about 150 40-foot trucks.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks on Wednesday in Lagos at the launch of the ₦500 billion ‘Produce for Lagos’ Offtake Guarantee Fund and Programme.
The trucks are intended to transport food from across the country to Lagos, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses.
Sanwo-Olu described the initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to achieve national food security.
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“Lagos is Nigeria’s food market. We consume over 50 per cent of the food traded in the South-West region,” the governor said.
“We have a food economy valued at over ₦6 trillion. Unfortunately, Lagos loses about 50 per cent of its food due to poor storage and inefficient transportation.
“It became clear that we must organise our food systems to feed our people efficiently.
“The ‘Produce for Lagos’ programme will help create logistics support and connect directly to Lagos’ dynamic food economy. That’s why we are launching Ecolog logistics trucks through the Lagos State Food Systems Infrastructure Company.”
Sanwo-Olu further explained that the trucks would help create a new agricultural ecosystem.
“We are rolling out about 150 40-foot trucks as a pilot for the seamless movement of food. These trucks are all CNG-powered, capable of travelling across the country on a full tank and returning to Lagos without refuelling.
“This is the first initiative of its kind in Nigeria, and it is a major step forward for both Lagos and the country.”
He added that the ₦500 billion fund was just the beginning, as the initiative is already attracting interest from private sector partners.
“We are building a new agricultural ecosystem one that is responsive to present and future demands.
“We are combining focused policy, a sustainable financial model, infrastructure that will endure for future generations, and a robust database that stakeholders can rely on.”
